A traditional bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Typically, a bridge can be made up of three units, two crowns on adjacent sides of the gap and an artificial tooth called a “pontic”. When properly placed and with proper oral hygiene, a bridge can last up to 10 or more years.
Clear Aligners are a form of orthodontic treatment that works to correct many different types of malocclusions through the use of a series of clear plastic trays called aligners. In many cases it provides an excellent treatment alternative to having traditional orthodontic braces and metal wires.
We utilize 3-D computer imaging technology to correct problematic bites or malocclusions by planning a complete sequence of custom-made clear aligners. This series of clear aligners, each of which is worn for a couple of weeks, incrementally move the teeth into place until the final desired corrections are reached.
The advantage and appeal of such appliances is that they are more cosmetic and more comfortable than most other orthodontic appliances.
Clear Aligners are a form of orthodontic treatment that works to correct many different types of malocclusions through the use of a series of clear plastic trays called aligners. In many cases it provides an excellent treatment alternative to having traditional orthodontic braces and metal wires.
We utilize 3-D computer imaging technology to correct problematic bites or malocclusions by planning a complete sequence of custom-made clear aligners. This series of clear aligners, each of which is worn for a couple of weeks, incrementally move the teeth into place until the final desired corrections are reached.
The advantage and appeal of such appliances is that they are more cosmetic and more comfortable than most other orthodontic appliances.
A crown, sometimes known as a dental cap, is placed over a tooth as a type of restoration. It is used/recommended when teeth are too weak and can no longer be supported by a filling. Crowns can also serve as a cosmetic modification such as covering a dental implant or to cover a severely broken tooth. A buildup is necessary when the natural tooth does not have enough structure to support the placement of a crown.
Dental fillings restore parts of a tooth that have been damaged due to trauma, such as an injury, or decay. A dental filling will strengthen teeth and restore chewing surfaces that have been worn down. When getting a filling done the dentist will remove any decay from the tooth, clean it, and fill the area with a composite (tooth colored) material.
Whether from disease, malnutrition, genetic disorders, or an accident sometimes it is necessary for an individual to have some or all of their teeth extracted. While this can be devastating, partial or full dentures can be fabricated to restore an attractive smile, provide needed support for normal facial contours and reestablish a highly functional occlusion.
A denture consists of natural looking artificial teeth set in a supportive base. It may be fabricated to replace either a small group of teeth, an entire upper arch, an entire lower arch, or used to restore both dental arches.
A complete denture refers to the replacement all of the teeth in a dental arch. It can be inserted either of two ways. It can be inserted some weeks after the extraction sites and all of the surgical procedures have had a chance to heal, or as an “immediate” denture placed the same day the last remaining teeth are extracted. Although an immediate denture offers the advantage of not having to go without teeth for any period of time, it can require multiple adjustments as the tissues remodel and heal following dental extractions or other surgical procedures.
In situations where some sturdy teeth remain, partial dentures can be fabricated. Partial dentures can achieve adequate retention and stability by having clasps on the teeth surrounding the edentulous areas.
In some cases added stability for the dentures can be provided by strategically placed implants.
Dental emergencies can come about in any number of ways. Your discomfort may be due to an injury to the oral facial area, the acute flare up of a longstanding problem, or the result of the sudden onset of seemingly inexplicable pain. Whatever the case may be, urgent dental care is needed to provide you with relief and to avoid any further consequences to your oral health or function, as well as your overall well being.
There are many reasons to seek emergency dental care, including severe toothaches, chipped or fractured teeth, a dental abscess, impacted teeth, loose or broken fillings, lost or dislodged crowns, broken dentures and more. While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our dental office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one’s smile.
Whether your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, contact our office immediately for care. We will make every effort to see you as promptly as possible.
Dental implants are a great option for replacing missing teeth for a fit that looks and feels natural. They are very strong, they look amazing, and they can last for many years. Dental implants are made up of a metal post that is placed into the jaw bone and fitted with a natural looking tooth to create a beautiful smile.
One of the significant advances in modern dentistry has been the development of dental laser technology. Today, dental lasers are being increasingly used to treat tooth decay, periodontal disease, perform biopsies or the removal of oral lesions, to cure restorative (filling) materials, as well as to activate in-office teeth whitening systems.
Dental lasers combine laser energy with water and air to safely cut and shape target soft or hard tissues in the mouth. Laser energy precisely cuts through tooth structure by exciting the water molecules in the tooth. It operates without direct contact to the tooth without heat, vibration, or pressure thereby minimizing the discomfort of the procedure and the need for dental anesthesia. In addition dental lasers can reduce anxiety for patients fearful of dental work, minimize post-operative bleeding and swelling, and preserve healthy tooth structure during the removal of decay.
While dental lasers may be an excellent treatment option in some situations, they cannot be used for every dental procedure.
Children that get regular dental checkups have healthier mouths throughout their lives. The American Dental Association encourages parents to take their children to see a dentist as early as their 1st birthday or when their first tooth appears. Early dental care helps to prevent common dental issues, such as gum disease, plaque, and cavities. Learning and practicing good oral hygiene for children, as well as adults, is an important part of overall health.
Periodontal disease affects four out of five people and they most likely don’t even know that they have it! In the early stages of this disease, it is usually painless. Periodontal disease affects the bone that supports the teeth and gums. Saliva, bacteria, and food debris creates a sticky film called plaque. When the plaque is not removed, it becomes calculus. These conditions are what begins to destroy gums and bone. Red, swollen, bleeding gums are indicators of periodontal disease.
Periodontal Treatment normally consists of a special deep cleaning called Scaling and Root Planing. Scaling is the process where plaque and tartar are removed down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. Root Planing is the process where the root surfaces of the teeth are smoothed to help the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the teeth.
Periodontal maintenance cleanings will be recommended every 3 months after Scaling & Root Planing. These cleanings are more extensive than a regular cleaning and will help your gums become healthier.
Endodontics, or root canal therapy, is employed when the nerve supply to a tooth has been irreversibly affected by damage or decay. It is a way to prevent or help resolve a dental infection and save a natural tooth from extraction. A root canal is performed when there is enough sound root and crown structure remaining to eventually restore form and function to the involved tooth.
Inside every tooth is either a single central chamber or multiple ones that contain connective tissue, a nerve supply, and blood vessels. These core tissues, known as the dental pulp, help your tooth to grow and mature before it emerges into the mouth. A root canal procedure is required when this dental pulp is irreversibly damaged or has died.
Root canal therapy involves cleaning and shaping each canal, and then filling them with a special inert material. Following this they are sealed to prevent any subsequent infection. Once root canal therapy has been completed, the tooth should be fully restored as recommended.
Sleep apnea is a serious and potentially life threatening disorder involving repeated pauses in breathing while asleep. The most common form of this condition is obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when there is an obstruction of an individual’s airway that interferes with the flow of oxygen through the nose or mouth during sleep. In someone afflicted with obstructive sleep apnea, the muscles of the throat and mouth relax during sleep to the point where they fall back into the upper airway and create a blockage that restricts breathing.
The signs and symptoms of this disorder during sleeping hours may include, loud snoring, episodes of breathing cessation, abrupt awakenings, episodes of gasping for air, along with difficulties getting a good night’s sleep. An individual with sleep apnea will exhibit problems during the day as well. Sleep apnea can lead to a morning headache, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.
A sleep study is typically conducted to determine the severity of the disorder. The results of this study along with other medical findings will play a role in determining the recommended therapy. The most common form of therapy is a CPAP machine that is worn when sleeping. This device provides a steady stream of pressurized air into the respiratory system through a mask.
In situations of mild to moderate sleep apnea, a dental appliance may be deemed the appropriate treatment. Worn in a similar fashion to a mouthguard or an orthodontic retainer, it is designed to help keep the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat from collapsing, thereby enabling the airway to stay open during sleep. An oral appliance is easy to wear, easy to care for, comfortable, and portable. Oral appliances are individually fabricated, and customized for both maximum effectiveness and comfort.
If you are self-conscious or unhappy about the look of your smile, there is no reason to despair. Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, adults who are not interested in the prospect of wearing braces for years or the financial investment often required with lengthy treatment, now have a method of care available to them which can quickly and comfortably transform their crooked teeth into a beautiful, well-aligned smile.
With Six Month Smiles, adult patients can enjoy the benefits of a straight and aesthetically pleasing smile in much less time than provided by other approaches to care. By using specially designed clear cosmetic braces and the application of gentle forces with tooth-colored orthodontic wires, the Six Month Smiles method safely and comfortably moves the teeth that show when you smile into alignment.
Six Month Smiles takes the best aspects of orthodontic care to offer a way to effectively address your goals for improving the look of your smile while providing treatment that suits your busy lifestyle!
Getting a full night of sleep is essential to your overall health. Being well rested helps you to feel good and to function at your best. One of the most common problems that can affect the quality of your sleep is snoring. According to statistics about 90 million individuals in the United States snore while they sleep. While for about half of these people the problem is simply snoring, the others may be afflicted with a serious disorder known as sleep apnea. Therefore, before any type of treatment can be prescribed, it must be determined whether the problem is sleep apnea or “simple” snoring.
If it is determined that your problem is simply snoring, and you are what is known as a primary snorer, then an oral appliance can help you as well as any of your roommates enjoy a quieter and more comfortable sleep. A custom fabricated oral appliance to address snoring fits somewhat like a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer and is only worn while you sleep. As a removable and non-invasive treatment for snoring, your appliance slightly repositions your jaw to allow for a less restricted airflow to promote a quieter and more restful sleep.
Veneers are thin coverings that are placed onto the front of teeth to create a natural, beautiful, and long-lasting smile. They can be used to correct chipped or worn teeth, crooked or misshapen teeth, teeth that are stained and can’t be whitened by bleaching, and improve uneven spaces or gaps.
Teeth whitening can remove stains left behind by coffee, wine and tobacco. It is a non-invasive dental treatment that changes the color of natural tooth enamel and is a great way to enhance the beauty of your smile. There are two options for teeth whitening. There is in-office whitening treatment that can lighten and brighten your teeth significantly or take-home whitening trays that take a few sessions to reach your desired whiteness. The best results come from the combination of both the in-office whitening and take-home trays.